Silence and Stillness before God (2 minutes)
Scripture Reading
Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.
Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
Devotional
In today’s scripture readings, Jesus says to rejoice greatly, for he will give us his Spirit and that he is going to the Father. We are challenged today to give lavishly. Though it is different from fasting from food, giving without measuring teaches us the goodness of sacrifice. Jesus gave lavishly by giving us his Spirit. Our tendency, in our fallen nature, is to say, “If only Jesus would still be here, to walk beside me, so I could see him, hear him, touch him.” But Jesus gave us something better, in the form of His presence living inside us. Let’s give lavishly to Jesus by being grateful! How can I express my gratitude to him? If I know someone who is empty inside, I have the option to give them my time and ear. By this, I anoint the feet of Jesus with nard, for He lives inside them.
Question to consider
How can I give lavishly today to Jesus?
Prayer
Lord, help me to give lavishly by being grateful to You. Make me aware of an area in my life where I need to be more thankful and to express it concretely.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
The 40 days of decrease blogs have been inspired by the book “40 Days of Decrease” by Alicia Britt Chole.
Expressions from Summerside Community Church 